Guan and Perkins Take Title as Course Record Falls
(5:00pm - Friday 9th April 2021)
Jeffrey Guan (The Australian) added another trophy to the cabinet with a dominant victory at the Illawarra Junior Masters. The 16 Year Old came from behind to defeat Ali Rachid (NSW) by three strokes, however needed a course record 62 to do it!
Starting the final round one shot behind Rachid, the Australian Amateur runner up quickly got to work on the exciting Links layout with birdies on the 1st and 2nd to take a share of the lead. Three more front nine birdies on the 5th, 8th and 9th saw Guan turn in just 30 strokes as he took control of the tournament. A bogey on the par three 11th briefly slowed things down before birdies on the 12th, 14th and 15th put the tournament to bed. A wonderful eagle on the par five 18th put the icing on the cake, with the nine under par 62 a junior course record on the combined Brickyard / Quarry course used specifically for the event.
After starting with the overnight lead, Rachid fired a bogey free 66 in the final round, which under normal circumstances would be good enough to win any tournament. Sharing third six shots further back at one under par was Rhys Vella (Lakeside), Jack Roche (Manly) and 14-15 Years Champion Chun-Ta Wu (Long Reef).
The younger Boys Divisions completed their tournament at Kiama on day two, with Ian Kim (Ryde Parramatta) coming out on top in the 12-13 Years Division. Kim picked up his first JNJG Masters title with a six shot victory, also finishing inside the top 10 overall for the first time. The 11 Years and Under Division came down to the wire, with Nathan Hong (Macquarie Links) hanging on to defeat Matty Xu (Randwick) by just one stroke.
Charlotte Perkins (The Australian) left it late to claim the Girls Division, curling in a 30 foot eagle putt on the 18th green to defeat Rachel Lee (North Ryde). 13 Year Old Lee was on the opposite side of the draw, and finished her round an hour or so earlier at Kiama, signing for a 72 to post the clubhouse lead at +1. As the Southerly started to blow across the windswept Links layout, it looked as though that number might stand as the older girls struggled in the difficult conditions.
With scores tied and a playoff looming, Perkins played two incredible shots across the ravine and safely onto the 18th green in two. The downhill putt facing the 16 Year Old had proved difficult all day, with some players not even able to keep the ball on the green from that exact same spot. With Lee watching on from the amazing viewing area above the 18th green, Perkins looked at the eagle putt from all angles and rolled the ball high and to the right before it started to turn towards the hole.
As the ball began to pick up speed, it caught enough of the hole and flagstick to disappear to loud cheers from the huge crowd watching. She knew from the cheers that it must have been her tournament to win, however later revealed she didn't know what score Lee had posted at Kiama and just how close it all was.
The 14-15 Years Girls Division ended in a two hole playoff, with Michelle Di Natale (NSW) defeating Michelle Bang (Toukley) with an eagle of her own on the second playoff hole. Lee's consolation prize at Kiama was the 12-13 Years Title, whilst Camilla Kim once again proved too good in the Girls 11 Years and Under Division.
Final Scores - Click Here
JNJG would like to say a big thanks to Links Shell Cove and Kiama for once again hosting the tournament!!
Round Two Heating Up in the Illawarra
(6:30am - Friday 9th April 2021)
Picture perfect conditions have greeted players on the second morning of the Illawarra Junior Masters. All players have swapped courses on day two, with Ali Rachid (NSW) and Rachel Lee (North Ryde) taking the lead into the final round.
Live Scores - Click Here
Lee, Rachid Lead Illawarra Junior Masters
(4:30pm - Thursday 8th April 2021)
They may have played on two different courses on the opening day, but Rachel Lee (North Ryde) and Ali Rachid (NSW) have taken the lead at the Illawarra Junior Masters firing matching rounds of two under par.
Ali Rachid (NSW) will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Boys Division, coming out on top after a difficult day at Kiama Golf Club. Rachid made three birdies alongside just a lone bogey, to lead playing partner Jeffrey Guan (The Australian). Guan had four bogies, one bogey and an uncharacteristic double bogey on his way to a one under par 65, with Harry Atkinson (Kurri) leading the 14-15 Years Division at even par.
The best score at Links Shell Cove was a one over par 72, with 12 & 13 Year old leaders Jonathon Hong (Macquarie Links), Toby Farrar (Lynwood) and Ian Kim (Ryde Parramatta) sharing that score. In the 11 Years & Under Division, Matthew Xu (Randwick) and Nathan Hong (Macquarie Links) share the lead with a five over par 76.
Young gun Rachel Lee (North Ryde), playing on the opposite side of the draw to all the old girls at Links Shell Cove, takes a two shot lead after being the only player to break par on day one. Lee's round of two under par 69 included five birdies, with Rebecca Yao (Avondale) the next best score at Shell Cove on day one with a 74. Over at Kiama, Michelle Bang (Toukley) fired the round of the day with an even par 69, one shot better than Charlotte Perkins (The Australian) who finished the day with a one over par 70.
Players swap courses on day two, with play starting at 6:45am at both venues.
Round 1 Scores - Click Here
Round 2 Draw - Links Shell Cove
Round 2 Draw - Kiama GC
Play Underway in the Illawarra
(6:45am - Thursday 8th April 2021)
The Illawarra Junior Masters is underway at Links Shell Cove and Kiama Golf Club, with overnight rain not impacting the golf courses that have been presented in fantastic order.
Live scores will be rolling through shortly and you can follow all the action on the leaderboard below.
Leaderboard - CLICK HERE
Huge Field set for Illawarra Junior Masters
(9:00am - Tuesday 6th April 2021)
A huge field of more than 200 players will head to the Illawarra this week for the 2021 Illawarra Junior Masters, played at Links Shell Cove and Kiama GC.
Players will get the opportunity to play 18 holes at each course over the two day tournament, in a final warm up before many of the states leading players head to Canberra to take part in the Australian Junior Championships.
Headlining the field is NSW's number one ranked junior Jeffrey Guan (The Australian), coming off a summer that saw him win the NSW Amateur Strokeplay, whilst finishing Runner Up in both the NSW Amatuer and Australian Amateur. The Girls field is equally strong, with more than 10 players heading into the event on handicaps of two or better.
Play begins on Thursday at 6:45am with the older divisions (14-15 Years and 16-17 Years) playing at Kiama GC and the younger divisions (11 Years & Under and 12-13 Years) playing at Links Shell Cove. All players will then swap venues for day two on Friday.
Round 1 Draws and Leaderboards
Links Shell Cove - Click Here
Kiama GC - Click Here
Leaderboard - Click Here
